CANDLE HOLDER

An incomplete Late Medieval to Early Post-Medieval (1450-1550) copper alloy branched double-socket candle stand. The surviving part consists of a circular collar with two curved branches extending from the top rim, each with a circular hole to hold a socket-like candle holder. One socket survives.

The base, stem, spike or pricket and one socket part of the candlestick are missing. The collar is cylindical and tapers from base to top (19.9mm to 18.1mm), and also has concave walls. Two arched arms or branches extend from the top sides. The arm splays outwards from the collar at c. 45 degrees then turn at c.90 degrees into a C-shape. The arm terminates with a circular disc through which is a hole (5.7mm diameter). The separate socket survives on one arm. It has an integral rivet at the base, fixed through the hole in the end of the arm. It has a waisted collar in matching style to the main collar. The socket is a cylinder with straight side, decorated with three bands of raised circumferential lines; each has a wide line flanked by a narrower one on each side.

The collar would have sat on top of the main stem and from its centre would have projected a spike, which probably acted as a pricket - these elements were seperately cast. Compare LIN-EBB042 and SF-EC21B2 and LIN-BC3C51, the latetr two of which cite Brownsword, 1985 'English Latten Domestic Candlesticks 1400-1700' in Finds Research Group 700-1700: Fig. 3, noting that "The object can be classified as a Brownsword's 'Branched double-socket type' candlestick and probably dates to the late 15th to early 16th century.

The surviving part of the candleholder is 80.8mm tall, 93.6mm wide and 21mm thick. 92.93g.